By Victor Kanayo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that its presidential election will hold in September 2022.
There has been controversies over whether the elective congress will still hold this year or not.
But, the first Vice President of NFF Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi has confirmed that the election will go ahead as expected, though he was not specific on a particular date.
Akinwunmi who spoke via a short video clip on Monday, noted that in line with the statutes of NFF and ultimatum from football stakeholders, the country’s football body is compelled to convene the Annual General Assembly (AGA) ahead of elective Congress next month.
He said, “My dear colleagues, please accept my heartfelt sporting greetings to you and every member of Nigeria football family. In the light of all that has been happening in recent times within the realm of Nigeria football, I have decided to send out the shorts message of assurance and give my personal stance on this issue. As you are all aware, there has been a dark cloud of uncertainty surrounding the administration of our football in the past few months.
“We have a situation where, the issue of a court injunction has affected our football administration. This time, it is an interim injunction granted in December 2021 in a suit filed at the Yenagoa division of the federal high Court, which has restrained the NFF from convening it’s annual general assembly for over seven months.
“Secondly, many members of the NFF Congress have in the past few months given the executive committee an ultimatum to call AGA within a specified time.
“In accordance with the views of the members of football fraternity as expressed in various fora, many members of the NFF Congress have demanded that the executive committee must ensure that 2022 NFF elections takes place in September 2022 within electoral lifespan of the current executive committee. The plaintiff in a lawsuit in Bayelsa state and beneficiary of the interim injunction has forfeited his rights to the injunction and filed for the discontinuance of the suits.
“In full alignment and agreement with the above, I’m aware that the NFF status is the supreme law for the administration of football in Nigeria, subject ofcourse to any conflict with the laws of Nigeria. By virtue of the NFF status, the annual general assembly as currently constituted is the supreme legislative body for the NFF.”
On the date for the AGA, Barr. Akinwunmi who is notably on the executive board of NFF affirmed, “The executive committee which hold office at the behest of the congress has been informed by the NFF general secretary that after the AGA earlier fixed for 16th August 2022 in Yenagoa in Bayelsa state, the AGA has now been fixed for the 18th of August 2022 in Lagos.”
Barr. Akinwunmi who is the Chairman of Lagos FA however, assured of his readiness to receive all football stakeholders ahead of the general assembly.
“I wish to make it abundantly clear that I support the total adherence to the letter of NFF status, the supremacy of the Congress and the commitments that the NFF elections be held on or before 20 September 2022.
“As a football family, this is yet another time we are called upon to come together and put football first. …I assure you of my total commitment and willingness to see to the bright future of Nigerian football,” he added.
